Disclaimer: nope not JK. Just having a spot of fun, like everyone else here
CHAPTER THREE: Give Me Just One Night…
"Who are yeh?" A voice came from behind the arrow. Wanting to reply, she found her shock at the threat too great as she realised she was moving her mouth but no sound was coming out. The arrow slowly lowered so it was pointing at her stomach. She shut her mouth. She tried to swallow the knot of fear that had taken up residence in her throat.
"Sorry to disturb you sir, but I was wondering if I might be allowed to camp out on the lawn for the night." She continued in a rush, "I won't cause any problems, and I'll be gone in the morning, and you won't even be able to tell I was here and I can pay you if you want, sir." The man, so tall that he was almost a giant – looked down at her with suspicion.
"'ow did yeh get in h'ere?" He asked puzzled.
"I… I walked" she managed to stutter.
"What do yeh see when yeh look there?" The giant indicated behind her to the castle.
"A castle?" she replied, confused.
"Yeh mean yeh can see it?" He exclaimed astounded. "What is tha' castle called?"
"No idea, please sir, may I camp here? It's almost dark and I don't relish the idea of finding anywhere else to stay."
"Let me check with Dum… uh… let me check up a th' castle. Stay here; Fang stay." He commanded the boarhound before stepping out of the hut. She sank onto the steps as the giant retreated into the fading light.
Soon after he left, it became apparent that she would be setting up in the dark. Fang moved over and sat watching her every move. She hesitantly moved her hand over, palm up, for him to sniff. Almost an hour later, the giant emerged and proceeded back towards the hut. It appeared as though two people were coming but in the near non-existent light, she couldn't be sure.
"Oiy, you there… wha's yer name again?" the giant called
"Just call me Miss, sir. May I camp here?"
"Miss, then, c'on in an' h've a cuppa tea. Prof… er… Miss McGonagall will set up a spot fer yeh."
"Uh… I appreciate the offer of help but my tent can be finicky to set up."
"Please be assured that your tent will be handled appropriately." The woman answered.
She nodded and pulled the tent free of her pack, then followed the giant inside the hut.
"Yeh made friends w'th Fang. Not always an easy thing," the giant started conversationally as he poured the tea.
"Most dogs that have been treated properly are big piles of mush once they're sure you're no threat," she replied. "Mine is as long as he doesn't think whomever he's meeting is a threat to either of us."
"How well dunnee understand yeh?"
"He knows a good number of commands but when it comes to meeting people he watches my body language and tone of voice more than the commands. They always know more from that in case it's someone I don't like but have to be polite to." She explained, the tea was scalding so she blew on it for a while before sipping carefully.
"Why did you ask me what I saw behind me earlier?"
"'cause yeh shoundna be able ter see it." He paused and started to look crestfallen. "I shouldna tol'd yeh that."
"Ok, now I'm really confused." McGonagall chose that moment to step in and smiled politely at them, sparing the giant from creating a reply for the young woman.
"All set dear," she said.
"Thank-you ma'am. I don't want to be a bother so I'll leave at first light."
"No need. Where are you headed in such a rush?" McGonagall asked.
She smiled apologetically, "I'm not sure. It was simply after everything that had happened I needed to do this."
"Wha' happened?" the giant asked. McGonagall shot him a sharp look, "Tha' is if yer ok w'th me askin'?"
Her eyes seemed to lose focus as she considered how much she could tell them. They seemed trustworthy.
Appearances are deceiving her grandmother's words echoed in her mind. Carefully editing her story, she began,
"My family has… changed… a lot in the past year. Friends aren't what they once were." The grief threatened to burst over the carefully built wall. Covering her face until she was sure the reinforcements would hold, she looked up and faced the two.
"If you'll excuse me, I've had a very tiring day. Thank-you for the tea. Nice to meet you both." She made her way out of the hut and over to her tent. After crawling under her sleeping bag, she fell asleep without undressing.
The next morning she awoke and stretched. Feeling more refreshed than she had in a long time, she opened her window crack. Startled by what she saw, she quickly changed and, pulling on her boots, she hopped out of the tent.
The air around here is thick with … magic?
The grounds were a beautiful green. Off in the distance she could see what appeared to be stands. However, the biggest difference she noticed from the night before was the castle. It looked so friendly but somehow lonely. As if it was accustomed to playing host to far more people than it currently did. She saw Miss McGonagall headed towards her. She suppressed a snort; the woman was a teacher through and through.
So she surmised this place must be a boarding school of some sort. That's why it feels lonely – school must be out for the summer already.
"Good morning Miss. Did you sleep well?" McGonagall asked.
"Very well, thank-you. Don't worry I'm starting to pack up." She moved towards her tent door.
"No need to hurry," McGonagall assured, "Why don't you come up to the castle and have breakfast with us?"
"I suppose – as long as I am not intruding."
"Certainly not, there are a few people who are more interested in meeting the young woman who camped here last night."
"M E A T or M E E T?" She asked with a wry grin.
"Excuse me?" McGonagall asked.
"Never mind, pop-culture reference."
McGonagall, still looking puzzled, turned and proceeded towards the castle. Once inside the castle McGonagall took the lead. She never had much of a chance to see what it was she was passing.
This is not ordinary boarding school she thought
McGonagall paused at a set of large gilded doors. She caught up and had to remind herself that it would be a good idea to close her mouth. Her grandmother had tried to teach her some manners in her otherwise male-dominated life. It was such a remarkable place though, that she wanted to gawk at everything. She settled for looking around as much as she could without being too obvious. The doors opened to reveal a huge dining hall. Near the far end, a large round table sat surrounded by the oddest-looking group of people. The oldest looking gentleman stood up and greeted the pair as they approached.
"Minerva, I see you convinced our guest to join us."
"Professor Dumbledore, this is …" McGonagall trailed off
Meidh stepped in "Miss Meidh McRobertson sir, pleased to meet you."
AN: Pronunciation guide to her name at the end.
"Likewise my dear. This is Professor Hagrid, Professor Sinstra, Professor Snape, Madam Prince, Professor Sprout, Madam Hooch, Madam Pomfrey and you've already met Professor McGonagall." He indicated each person around the table in turn.
Meidh had to bite her tongue after introductions were made; else, she was going to ask Professor Snape if he had just enjoyed a lemon. Platters and bowls of food crammed the table and only after Dumbledore beckoned everyone to sit and enjoy did the chatter begin.
"Help yourself," Dumbledore encouraged. Meidh nodded, selected some sausages and eggs and began to eat.
"So how did you find our castle?" He continued conversationally
"I've been on a search for over a month, I think, and this happened to be on my path." She replied between mouthfuls
"Wha' are yeh serchin' fer?" Hagrid asked.
"Something I couldn't find where I was. The missing part of me." She looked up shocked and clapped her hand over her mouth. Bracing for the onslaught of questions sure to come she looked warily at the table.
"A spiritual quest of sorts. Fascinating, tell me what lead to the decision to search here?" Dumbledore inquired.
"A lot of … changes that showed me I was missing something." She tried not to spill everything or the grief would give her another breakdown.
"And you chose to search in Scotland?"
Meidh smiled "I know my ancestors are from here and I couldn't stay where I was. The added bonus of seeing this beautiful country first hand made the choice easy."
Seeing that everyone had finished Dumbledore decided that further discussion with this young woman was desirable.
"Miss McRobertson, would you join me for a cup of tea in my office?"
She paused and considered the request. His eyes were twinkling madly so she decided to trust her instincts.
"Sure, right away?"
"If you're finished, then yes. Professor McGonagall, would you join us?"
The professor nodded.
"Excellent, well then, off we go." Dumbledore lead the way out of the hall. Meidh openly gawked at everything.
The computer power used to run this place must be huge she mused.
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Just a note:
Meidh: pronounced like Mauve (though if you ask me in person I'm more likely to say 'mead' consequence of not having someone readily available who speaks this beautiful language), is Scottish Gaelic for balance
Caelan: is a Celtic / Gaelic name meaning: Victorious People. If anyone knows how this is pronounced please let me know I found it in a name book and really liked it.
McRobertson: A Scottish family name I modified.
Okie now you know press that little button at the bottom and let me know what you think! Droobles if you do…